When I started this blog four years ago, there were a few things I told myself I’d never do. One was sharing junk posts – where the writing was crap and the topic uninteresting – basically I didn’t want to half-ass it. It’s a requirement I believe I’m guilty of failing many times. The other thing I didn’t want to do was take a break. I’d try reading other blogs and see a static “we’re not here right now” post, and it made me angry. What was the point in not having a blog if you weren’t going to keep up with it?, I thought. Those people were lazy and I never wanted to be that type of slacker. Never ever ever. Every week since then – for four and a half years – I’ve written and shared a post. Sometimes even more than one per week. And quite frankly, […]

“You’re from the country but you ‘aint country,” that’s what my husband told me one day. He’s good at revelations like that. Quick one-liners that describe people nice and succinctly … sometimes even better than they’re able to describe themselves. Like how he pointed out my inability to get keys made or place things in the safe, even if they’re valuable and that is their actual “spot.” I hate clutter, but somehow refuse to put these things away. Each time he’d ask about one or the other, I’d say the same thing, “No I didn’t do it yet. Sorry I’m lazy.” And he’d just shrug and that’d be that … until he queried again the next week. Until one day he left me with a humdinger. It wasn’t that I was lazy, he said; I do lots of things, after all. It’s that if I don’t want to do something, […]

Despite what a wise old man once told me, I planted my garden well before graduation. About three weeks ago, I got my plants into the ground, and they’ve been drinking, sunning, and sprouting ever since. Especially the ones that started as seeds, as they had the furthest paths to take. So far, some expected setbacks have taken place, along with some not-so-expected ones, like chilly days, a neighborhood cat digging through my dirt, and excessive wind. Admittedly, the plants could use some more sun … until about July when they’ll be begging for some shade – we take what we can get here in the Midwest, little plants. But otherwise, we’re doing pretty solid. On the docket: Tomatoes Jalapenos Green Bell Peppers Onions Radishes Cucumbers Blueberries As many herbs that decide to sprout. So far that means cilantro and mustard. New This Year Instead of spraying bee-killing poisons on […]

Every so often, I update the interweb on what I’m reading. New discoveries, a series that suddenly can’t be printed quickly enough, and more titles that I’ve found worth reading, Or something that I am so obsessed about I’ve run out of people to tell so I have to tell it to my blog. Now it’s time to follow that same format with all my favorite podcasts. What is a podcast? If you know what a podcast is, feel free to skip to the next section, you accomplished 21st century citizen. If you don’t know what a podcast is, I’m about to tell you: it’s a listening program that can be heard to at your own convenience. Basically, it’s a radio talk show that can be enjoyed on the go – download episodes on your phone or listen from the computer. Anyone can host their own show by coming up […]

This morning, at 10:14 am, I have taken approximately 1,557 steps. Yesterday, I took 9,047 steps, which is about 3.75 miles, in case you are interested. I know all of those things because I got a Fitbit. It’s purple and it goes with me everywhere – everywhere dry, anyway; dishes and showers are strictly off-limits, for obvious reasons. It’s a great little device, reminding me to walk and get up and move every single hour. It also allows me how much physical activity I’ve gotten in a day, especially workdays, which mostly require sitting behind a desk. It’s a reminder to walk up stairs, to be active in general. Even though the weather isn’t 100% cooperating this week (who wants to walk in 40-degree downpours?), it’s still been a pretty good win. Sometimes I even walk living room circles, just so I can reach my 10k step goal. (It’s harder […]

This week is my birthday — woohoo for April celebrations; it’s right when the weather is starting to get good again, after all. Which means it’s time to go outside and enjoy actual plants, even if they do make our noses run. Then the next day, after my day of birth, it is my and Bo’s anniversary. Our very first one. (swoon) Last year at this time, we went to a military ball where we got dressed up and fancy, then went home early so we could get hitched. This year, as a married couple, we’ve been apart for longer than we’ve been together. It’s a fact that sounds dramatic (and probably is). But when you ease into away-ness one day at a time, it doesn’t feel dramatic until you go back and type about it. Besides, we’re heading toward the finish line of our long-distance marriage. We are one day closer with every […]

When germs are around the corner, keep them at bay with a few simple tips. Some of which are more enjoyable than others. Avoid getting sick with the following: Drinking Emergen-C It’s tasty, and it’s effective. Killing as Many Germs As Possible Lysol anyone? Anti-bacterial soap? Check and check. Keeping it Cold Did you know germs need serious heat to thrive? That’s why doctors offices are kept to chilly. Turn down the thermostat and you’ll also turn down the germs. Thieves’ Essential Oil And pretty much every other essential oil too. Sleep It’s good for you, so get some sleep.